Tongue's reign ends on a high

Liam Tongue’s reign as interim boss at Stalybridge Celtic came to a perfect end on Tuesday as his side got a hard-earned win at home to Clitheroe. 

The visitors started the game brightly and had the ball in the net early on after Javaun Splatt slotted home from close range, only for the goal to be chalked off for a foul in the build up. 

Moments later, Celtic winger Milan Lalkovic was a whisker away from a goal of the season contender. After spotting the goalkeeper off his line, the Slovak attempted an audacious lob from just inside the opposition half which flew inches wide of the left post. 

Lalkovic was involved again just before the break when he was slipped in by Joe Duckworth before unleashing a left footed strike which squirmed underneath the goalkeeper and bounced up onto the crossbar. 

After a goalless first half, the deadlock was finally broken in the 75th minute of the match when the ball fell to Celtic forward Joe Duckworth in the penalty area who rifled the ball home to put his side ahead. 

Hearts were in mouths late in added time when Clitheroe substitute Luke Gill fired a header towards the Celtic goal but fortunately for the Bower Fold faithful, the ball cannoned back out off the crossbar. 

“It was a nice way to top it all off,” said Liam Tongue, who has now given up his duties as player-manager after the arrival of Jon Macken. 

“All the credit goes to the lads, they’ve taken everything we’ve said onboard since we took over. 

“Although I’ve had the label of player-manager I’ve not really had to do much as silly as it sounds- I've had great people around me like Wilko (Greg Wilkinson) and Aaron Chalmers who have helped me on the sidelines while I’ve been playing, and it’s worked really well.”  

New first team manager Jon Macken will take over the side for the first time this weekend when they travel to Wythenshawe.